Delicate Crystal Growth in Gels

Abstract:
DELICATE CRYSTAL GROWTH IN GELS. Zac. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of altering the type of metal, amount of metal, shape of metal, and temperature of the surroundings for the crystallization reaction which occurs between a silicate-laden gel and the individual metals zinc, tin, and magnesium. The goal of the experiment was to determine the optimum conditions for producing the largest, fastest-growing, best defined crystals. This experiment found higher amounts of metal, magnesium, higher temperatures, and more solidified pieces of metal as the optimum conditions for fostering crystal growth.
Key Words: Crystal, crystallization, molarity, solution, solubility, crystallization reaction, dilution, solution preparation, neutralization.

Picture:


Summary Graphic:
Magnesium comparison

Trial #	1	2	3	4
Size of crystal	Medium	Very large	Large	Small
Definition of crystal	Decent	Worst	Best	Decent
Speed of formation	Medium	Rapid	Medium	Slow
Other Observations	Fast growth, rapid expansion	Fastest growing, constricted by tube, definition suffers	Smaller initial amount, better definition of crystal	By far smallest of magnesium crystals, largely uncrystallized

Tin comparison

Trial #	1	2	3	4
Size of crystal	Medium	Very Large	Large	Small
Definition of crystal	Very poor	Very poor	Best	Decent
Speed of formation	Decent	Fast	Decent	Slow
Other Observations	Large amounts of uncrystallized metal	Large amounts of uncrystallized metal	More solid piece of metal, much more crystallized and better defined	Clearly not finished crystallizing but better defined than first 2 tubes

Zinc comparison

Trial #	1	2	3	4
Size of crystal	Small	Medium	Small	Tiny
Definition of crystal	Poor	Poor	Good	Decent
Speed of formation	Slow	Medium	Slow	Slowest
Other Observations	Largely uncrystallized	Much faster growth with heat added but still many metal pieces uncrystallized	More solid piece leads to best-defined crystal	Barely any crystallization at all visible

Journal Summary:
The formation of kidney stones occurs through the crystallization of particles in urine, which grow too large to be passed along with the urine through the ureter. If small enough they can be eliminated, but if too large they can prevent the passage of urine through the kidneys, potentially causing acute pain in the kidney, passage of blood in urine, fever and vomiting. The substances which form the crystals vary greatly, but most are comprised primarily of calcium. The crystallization occurs as a result of increased concentrations of calcium, oxalate and uric acid in the urine, which can result from several conditions, including infections, diets, medications, and chronic conditions. The condition can be identified through blood tests testing the concentration of electrolytes and minerals like calcium in the bloodstream; among more serious processes, urinalysis and other body scans may be performed. To treat the condition, pain medication and IV (intravenous) fluid to pass the crystals are required. A new process called extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy uses shock waves to break apart the stones, and if the condition is serious enough, surgery can be performed to remove the stones and repair damage to the kidneys.

Citation:
Ringold K., et. al. 2005 Mar. Kidney stones from crystallization. Journal of the American Medical Association. 293(9):1-2.